Honoring Their Son and Supporting CLC Students

In December 2021, Paul and Marla Diamond of Wadsworth created the Michael J. Diamond Scholarship to honor the life and legacy of their middle son whose life was unexpectedly cut short in 2018. They created the scholarship so that future students who share his passion for history and the humanities might prepare for a career of teaching and service.

Paul noted, “By creating this scholarship, our family is extending Michael’s legacy by making it possible for future students to secure a degree and serve humanity. While Michael worked as a mortgage professional, he had the heart of a teacher and a deep passion for learning. It is our joy to share that passion with future leaders studying at CLC.”

Paul is the founder and president/CEO of Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation in Lake Forest, a leading Lake County employer. He currently serves on the CLC Foundation’s Board of Directors where he champions the needs of today’s students by giving generously to student scholarships.

Paul grew up in Waukegan and entered the mortgage business in 1982, the same year he graduated from the University of Illinois, having earned an associate degree at CLC prior to that. He founded Diamond Residential Mortgage in 2009. To date, the company has closed over 30,000 mortgages and funded more than $6 billion in loans.

Along the way, Paul has served as president of the Illinois Mortgage Bankers Association, as a member of Lake County’s Affordable Housing Commission, and he has racked up many awards, like being recognized by Mortgage Executive Magazine as one of the nation’s 100 most influential mortgage executives.

When asked, he turns attention away from himself and invites people to remember his son, Michael, who studied history at Valparaiso University and lit up any room he entered with joy and humor. “He was a generous, kind and giving person,” Paul said. “He would give you the shirt off his back, so it’s only fitting that we provide for others in his memory.”

The CLC Foundation would like to recognize Paul’s leadership, and his and Marla’s generosity of spirit and financial resources that will provide students with educational opportunities for years to come. It is the Foundation’s joy and privilege to be their partner in honoring Michael’s memory with this significant scholarship.

Your gift can both honor a loved one and provide future CLC students with educational opportunities. Contact John Butler at (847) 543-2713 or jbutler3@clcillinois.edu to learn more.